I do not own final fantasy 8 and never will and I know I've said this too many times but I don own the characters used in the game or this fic .The characters Zek ,James ,Julia and Hector are mine though so don't steal them not that anyone would want to.

Chapter 24: Hector has a what!

Everyone who had qualified for the Seed field exam sat outside the front of gardens lobby waiting eagerly for announcements of who was on what squad, Zek and James were in uniform for once it was a requirement for the exam.

"Come on when they're going to announce the stupid exam squads already" Zek whined getting a shrug from James, Tash and Julia were with them also waiting but a little more patient then Zek. Tash smiled at Zek mouthing something towards him, Julia scowled she had claimed to be over Zek but everyone knew she was still jealous of Tash.

Zek smiled back blowing a kiss towards her, Julia groaned "okay so you love each other can you two at least not sicken us with your affections in public!" Julia blurted out catching a few peoples attention, it was now a known fact around garden that Zek was indeed the Commanders twin brother.

"Thank you Julia like we don't need any more attention" Zek muttered ,he hated living under Squalls shadow everyone thought he was great or something some girls had even made a fan club about him much to his constant annoyance ,Tash didn't like it either!

"Uh do I have to" Squalls voice was heard over the microphone, the room full of cadets looked up at the commander interested, Zek sniggered at his brothers expression after being urged by headmaster Cid.

"Hello and welcome future seeds today is the field exam where you'll be given the chance to become seeds like us so whatever else there is to say just be focussed and prove yourselves worthy of joining the ranks of Seed" Squall said unconvincingly "I bet someone else wrote that script" Zek remarked to Tash, she giggled in agreement.

Cid soon came up as well "thank you squall for that encouraging speech now remember we'll be judging you on attitude, actions, how you behave ,if your decisions are smart and following your orders and your strength so remember think before you act several people here should take note of that" Cid lectured them.

Zek rolled his eyes "wow I wonder who that's aimed at" he remarked innocently, Julia stared at him bluntly "I wonder who".

If Cid had heard it he didn't seem to react "the Squads for today's exams will be made up of four people instead of the usual 3 cadets since we have quite a few Seed Candidates, in every squad there will be one squad leader and three supporting members, leaders will be responsible for the decisions made by the group" Cid explained.

"Well the teams will be Squads A,B,C,D and E and five Instructors will be put in charge of each group and will mark them from 1 to 10 in how effective they are in a real mission situation" Cid lectured on again ,many were looking bored and impatient by now.

Cid saw this and proceeded to list the groups at long last "Squad A will consist of Irvine kinas as squad leader and Mitchell Fritz,Tasha Sanders and Julia Price as supporting members" Cid said causing a bit of controversy as Irvine was one of the hero's who had defeated Ultimecia.

Tash and Julia looked at each other mortified "your got to be kidding putting those two together they're just asking for trouble" Zek commented.

It soon died down again and Cid started to speak again "Squad B will consist of Zek Loire as Squad leader and James Seagill, Skye Jacobs and Jack White as supporting members" Cid said before taking a breather.

He soon went back to listing the other Squads "Squad C s leader will be Sue Linson and supporting members Markus Flinch, Maria Vanz and Andrew Walsh….." and so it went on till all five squads ad been announced causing everyone to split into their teams.

Zek was mortified by the decision though "he made me a squad leader I'm no leader I prefer following someone else's orders and that means I'll get blamed if anything goes wrong" Zek complained. James patted him on the back "you'll do fine that's exactly what Squall said" Quistius said walking up to him.

Zek looked at her "but that's Squall I'm not squall I'm Zek" he retorted ,Quistius laughed "well where's your Squad Cadet Loire" Quistius stated looking to see only James with him ,Zek realised he had to find them, however a young girl around 15 or 16 came up to him "hi I'm Cadet Jacobs I'm on your team" she said.

Zek smiled "hi Skye I'm…"he never got to finish "I know who you are your Squall Leonharts brother and the son of President Laguna Loire of Esthar" she finished, Zek scowled at his father and brothers mention.

"Yeah whatever but please don't ever refer to me as that I'm just Zek okay" Zek pointed out, she saluted him "yes captain" she replied obediently, Zek sighed today was going to be a long day.

"Hi Zek" Jack greeted, Zek knew him as one of the CC club members who always told him about what was happening and who was worth challenging.

"hi Jack how's things" Zek greeted ,Jack shrugged "okay just nervous about the exam I guess" Quistius was now urging them to get to the transport ,Zek followed as did the other three with James and Jack exchanging triple triad information.

Once they were on their way towards Galibadia in one of five transports Xu appeared to explain the mission details.

Quistius took a seat and relaxed while Xu began showing them what they were to do "this mission is based in Galibadia so you'll all have four hours to defeat as many monsters as possible in your a legated area but as a team I put emphasise on teamwork"

"That's essential to pass I'll be escorting till you all get there and since it is still full of powerful monsters if by any chance you get6 overwhelmed a seed will help" Xu stated after finishing the presentation.

No one answered so Xu took a seat and sat down "oh and the rides going to take a while so feel free to play cards or talk during that time" she then told them which ceased the silence in the transport towards Galibadia.

"Wow this is quiet so anyone wanna talk or something" Zek asked hating too much silence, James shrugged "hey Zek have you heard" Jack started to say getting Zeks attention.

"So Zek have you heard Squalls beaten Spade" Jack told him ,James was still a bit unused to this CC Club stuff but had figure Zek knew Jack by his status in the group.

"No I haven't mind you I've had other stuff on my mind but that's interesting why is everyone starting to get good with cards all of a sudden I can't keep up" Zek remarked, Jack shrugged "your right Zek but it's a good thing isn't" Jack asked.

Zek nodded in reply and Xu cut in "what's wrong Zek afraid you'll lose your 2nd place position" she remarked laughing at the expression that formed on his face.

James had always thought Zek was the top one "so who's above Zek then and who's this queen person" James asked, Zek sniggered and received a glare from Xu however before he could defend himself, Xu changed the subject "so Skye where do you come from" Skye looked up nervously "Winhill" she replied.

Zeks then thought for a moment "wait your last names Jacobs right?" Zek asked receiving a nod from Skye.

James looked at Zek confused ,Zek ignored this and asked her again "do you know of a Hector Jacobs really serious and kind of a goody two shoes and about 19" James laughed at Zeks description of Hector .

Skye frowned at his mention "yeah he's my stupid older brother" she replied ,Zek smirked evilly causing James and Xu to step away when Zek had this look it was dangerous "well looks like Hectors been keeping secrets from us again" Zek remarked.

James looked at Skye shocked "so your Hectors little Sister" she nodded and answered both boys questions "I know Hector doesn't tell people about me, he's really overprotective of me he says his friends would be a bad influence on me" she explained.

Zek and James exchanged looks "us a bad influence Zek… " Zek looked at James "yeah James" Zek asked waiting for the answer "lets get revenge on Hector…hey Skye why'd you come to garden anyway" James responded to Zek and asked her.

Skye smiled "I came here when I was thirteen because I caused trouble at my school in Winhill and Mum thought after my stupid goody two shoes brothers example ,my mum thought it was a good place for me to get some discipline" she explained to them.

Zek understood now why Hector never mentioned her to them "well Skye it's a pleasure to meet you and dare I say it your way cooler then Hector" James told her making her giggle.

"you know you're a really sweet guy uh…what's your name again" she asked ,he turned slightly red causing Zek to laugh Xu and Quistius were also watching while Xu was playing Jack in a friendly game of triple triad "its James" he replied a little red.

She laughed at his expression "ha ha your funny do you play" she said pulling out some cards ,James smiled "heck yeah I don't mind a friendly game" he replied ,she winced "I'm not very good though" she told him, he smiled "I'll go easy on you".

Zek smirked then turned his attention Xu and Jack who were playing each other in a friendly match "you know if you'd put that card there you'd won" Zek remarked pointing out Xu's mistake. She looked at Zek shrugging "I know but oh well its not like that match really mattered anyway why don't you play her then Captain" Jack remarked.

Zek laughed "I would but I kinda left my cards back at garden" Zek replied, Xu sighed "it figures you would do that" James looked up from his conversation with Skye.

Half an hour later

Zek and their group arrived at a large green bushy area of Galibadia at 1pm "okay guys as of now I'm assessing you so lets get serious you all know what your doing right" Xu said seriously ,Zek saluted correctly for once as did the others she smiled "good luck guys".

Zek looked around the area they had been assigned for any signs of monsters "okay I think there's some noise over there but I want you guys approval" he explained ,James smiled "I agree anyone else" James replied Jack and Skye nodded in agreement ,Zek smirked "well lets kick some monster butt!"

4 hours later

Zek and Co had sussesfully beaten 40 monsters due to their working together and fighting any monsters that came in their way and had kept each other reasonably healthy at the same time by taking turns to be healers. The other three went on the offensive ,they had only ever needed to use a phoenix down once "okay guys that was fun wasn't it" Zek said as he took a seat on the transport back to Garden.

James agreed "yeah wonder how Julia and Tash went probably ended up arguing the entire time" James remarked causing Zek to laugh "yeah that'd be Julia and Tash alright" Zek replied causing more laughter between them.

Xu came up to the group laughing "well how'd you guys think you went" she asked getting Jack and Sykes attention "I'm not sure okay I guess" Jack replied unsure of what Xu was going to say ,"I reckon we did awesome" Skye chirped scaring Zek and James "wow she's really different from Hector" Zek commented.

Skye laughed "I know my brothers always been way too serious about everything especially since …"she stopped halfway though the sentence "what happened" Zek asked interested.

Skye frowned "Our Dad died when I was about four from an attack from this monster he saw it all" Skye explained, Zek frowned sadly "that's really sad poor Hector".

James looked up to Xu again "so when do we get our results" he asked ,she smiled "don't worry you guys did really well and you'll find out who passed when we get back to garden" she told them before going quiet again.

Back at Garden

Zek and James arrived near one of the classrooms where everyone who had been on the field exam sat waiting eagerly for their results many well many was an understatement were nervous as anything and some were just sitting or leaning against the wall as if these results would say if they lived or died.

Skye and jack had followed them as this was their first field exam ,James was talking to Skye as if they had known each other for years it turned out Skye was as much of a triple triad fanatic as James was ,James had promised to teach her some tricks.

Zek may had been card king and the second best card player in Garden but he was never this obsessed with it he just found it easy to master "hi Hector I meet your sister" Zek said smirking, Hector had been talking to Tash and Julia.

"What how you find out I had a sister" Hector blurted out, Zek smirked "she was on my Squad and I hate to say it but I think she and James are getting along very well" Zek pointed out.

Hector frowned "did he hit on my sister" Hector fumed angrily ,Zek shook his head "nah it was more like she said he was cute and funny and now they're having a very lengthy discussion about triple triad" Zek explained making Hector groan.

Just then a faculty member came out, it seemed that Garden had got new faculty members they were no longer the same ones that had followed Norg but were now completely human but annoyingly strict.

"These cadets have passed into the ranks of seed!" one barked out "they're still sound the same as the old faculty did" Zek remarked receiving a look from the male Faculty member.

"Fritz Mitchell ,Jacobs Skye ,Kinneas Irvine ,Loire Zek ,Price Julia , Sanders Tasha ,seagill James ,White Jack that is all will those go up to Cids office" the member said before leaving quickly.

"Wow looks like all my Squad passed" Zek said pleased by his efforts Julia sighed "and this from the guy who claimed he was a terrible leader" Jack remarked as he passed Zek "who's this random" Tash asked after seeing Jack.

Zek told her he'd tell her later ,Hector waved as they left to get their actual reports "Skye" Hector yelled out at his sister ,she scowled at him "well done sis I knew you'd make it oh and James don't hit on my sister" Hector said before leaving.

In Cids office

Zek and all the others were standing at attention in Cids office turned control room he was standing in front of them looking proudly at them, he winked at James and Zek, in the back of the room were Laguna ,Kiros and Ward and another man who looked military like.

When they had entered James and Zek had wanted to flee the garden "he had to see this didn't he" James muttered looking away from his father, Zek shrugged "tell me about it".

Cid soon held some certificates and scrolls in his hand as Edea passed them over to Cid as he walked past Mitchell who had something murmured to him, Cid then went up to Skye "wow two more Seeds at only fifteen looks like you two of our youngest Seeds yet, I'll look forward to see your progress" Cid stated before moving to Irvine.

"Well Irvine you know what I'm going to say but I already know how good you are and well just don't flirt with every Seed you get stuck with" Cid pointed out ,Zek sniggered.

Cid came up to him smiling "well Zek for someone who claims to have no leadership skills you certainly surprised me and personally a Seed with your intelligence and skills will be a huge benefit to us" Zek sighed in relief that it was over.

But Cid spoke again in a quieter voice "I know you hate me saying this but with what squall has achieved I'm sure you'll do well but one bit of advice" Cid said handing Zek a certificate and report before saluting him. , Zek did his playful salute much to a faculty's dismay.

Cid laughed "never lose that wittiness but do try to a little less reckless" Cid said going towards Julia.

"Julia very good job but a bit of advice be a little more patient with others" Cid said handing her the certificate and report.

"Tash I may not have known you very long like I know those two but welcome to Seed I bet you didn't ever think you'd be a Seed in Balamb garden last year did you" Cid said ,Tash spoke "no I actually dreaded graduating because I'd have to go to the army so sir I'm very happy" Tash replied.

"James Seagill now that was very impressive" Cid said before James interrupted him "I was" Cid chuckled "James your not a bit like your father but I can tell you'll be a good Seed but whatever you do stick with your friends you and Young Mr Loire there make a brilliant team much like someone else I've meet" Cid said look at Kiros.

"Jack it seems this year we have our youngest and largest group of Seed graduates ever but still you did fine just don't be so nervous when your in a real situation" Cid said handing the final certificate to him.

Cid then went back to Edea before addressing them all "you are all now Seeds make Seed proud and you'll find keys to your new Dorms in your current Cadet Dorms you have 3 hours to pack and get ready for the Ball so enjoy tonight" Cid said as everyone left chatting happily.